Q: As a new employee, how long do I have to decide to enroll in insurance coverage?

A: New hires have 60 days from their hire date to elect to enroll in health, dental, and/or vision insurance.  

Q: As a new employee, when will my benefits begin?

A: Health insurance can begin as early as the 1st of month following date of hire; however, fringe benefit dollars, and associated insurance paid with fringe monies, will not begin until the 1st of the month following a full calendar month after hire date. 

Q: Who is considered an eligible dependent on my insurance? 

A: Eligible dependents include spouse or domestic partner, with copy of marriage certificate or State registration documentation; natural born children, with copy of birth certificate, or adopted children, with copy of birth certificate and adoption paperwork; and children in a parent-child relationship, with copy of birth certificate and affidavit of parent-child relationship. 

Q: What if I choose not to enroll in health coverage? 

A: An additional $300 annually will be added to the fringe benefit allotment (an additional $25 per month).

Q: If I decline coverage in health, dental, and/or vision insurance, can I enroll at a later date?

A: Yes.  Events allowing for enrollment are: loss of other coverage, effective 1st of month following loss (documentation is required); open enrollment, usually held in the Fall with effective date of January 1st of new calendar year; and late enrollment, effective 1st of month following a 90 day waiting period from date of request. 

Q: How long can an eligible, dependent child or children remain on my insurance plans? 

A: Eligible dependent children can be covered until the 1st of the month following their 26th birth date, whether they are a full-time student or not.  If a covered dependent child is disabled at the time of their 26th birth date, continuation of coverage is granted with medical certification documented (which requires periodic updating).  

Q: How long do I have to work before I am eligible for lifetime health coverage? 

A: You must complete 15 years of full time service credit with NOCCCD and retire from PERS/STRS within 120 days of your separation date to qualify for our lifetime health benefit.  Less than full time employees must complete pro-rata service credit, no more than 20 years, to qualify for this benefit.  If retiree with less than the necessary service credit years with NOCCCD, you are eligible to continue your health coverage, at your own cost, indefinitely.  The retiree’s health premium, and any covered dependent(s), will be taken directly from the retirement check. 

Q: If I retire with lifetime health benefits, am I required to enroll in Medicare? 

A: Yes.  For those retirees who qualify for Medicare A and B, having paid enough quarters into the social security system, or, qualifying through a spouse, our health contract mandates enrollment in Medicare Part A and B when they become eligible.  Enrollment in Part B can be deferred if you plan to retire after attaining age 65.  

Q: Can I continue to cover my eligible dependents after I retire? 

A: Yes.  Unless changes are requested in writing prior to your retirement, all covered dependents will continue until/unless they become ineligible.  Health premiums for eligible dependents are taken directly from the PERS/STRS retirement check; however, without any fringe offset as that benefit does not continue beyond retirement.  Changes requested to your health coverage after retirement are to be referred to CalPERS, our retiree health administrator.

Q: Can I continue dental and/or vision coverage after I retire? 

A: Yes.  Continuation of dental and/or vision insurance would be at the retirees own cost.  The Benefits Office sends billing notices quarterly, with payment due by personal check made payable to NOCCCD.